KEY POINTS:
The Gold Coast has been all about fun ever since Cobb & Co began providing holidaymakers with a regular coach service there from Brisbane in 1884.
The main attraction was originally the beach and the surf, although the Gold Coast invention of the bikini must have been an added drawcard, especially when worn by the meter maids of Surfers Paradise in the 1960s.
These days the Gold Coast is also a mecca for families and fun-seekers who flock to the region's clutch of theme parks. Whether you want to relive your favourite movie, have your stomach rush to your head on a wild ride, or simply get as wet as possible, there's a park on the Gold Coast to suit.
Here's a guide to what you can expect where:
MOVIE WORLD
"I don't mind how long we have to queue," said the teenager as the announcement was made yet again for us to empty our pockets, remove glasses and leave our bags in the lockers. I was just worried about losing more than a few coins: my lunch, for example. As it turned out, we weren't even able to exhale during the Superman Escape ride. Propelled from zero to 100km/h in just two seconds to teeter at the top of a 40m switchback, we then plunged into a 4G drop followed by a series of corkscrews that went by in a white-knuckle blur. It was all over in 100 seconds, but we were still talking about it days later. It was the most thrilling roller coaster any of us had been on, although the rather uncool-sounding Scooby-Doo Spooky Coaster came a surprisingly close second.
When you travel with teenagers, coolness is an important criterion, and one that Movie World understands. The whole park is a symphony in immaculate fibreglass and concrete, a deliberately artificial world with an authentically American feel from the moment you enter the gates. It's not a huge park, but there is a lot of detail to enjoy, and repeat rides are a given - although the Batwing Spaceshot, with its 4.5G launch up 60m and a backwards freefall, could be the last thing you ever do.
IF YOU GO: The park is 20 minutes from Surfers Paradise by car, public bus or hotel shuttle. There is a Looney Tunes Village section for younger children. From A$69 adults and A$45 children (4-13 years) for a single visit. There are also passes that include Sea World and Wet'n'Wild, that can be used over several days. More information at www.movieworld.com.au
WET'N'WILD
Located next door to Movie World, this is where to make the most of the Gold Coast's balmy climate (300 days of sunshine a year, average winter temperature 21C, summer 28C) especially since the water is heated to 26C. Even so, it can get a little draughty and you may regret being a hands-on parent as you trudge up yet another flight of stairs after your fleet-footed offspring, wrestling a large inflatable tube - and even more so as you follow them down a 200m slide so steep you can feel yourself lift off. There's a giant funnel, racing lanes with timers accurate to 1/1000th of a second, white-water rapids, all sorts of tubes, a wave pool, kids' zone and 10 hot pools where you can wallow in 36C water. Splash Cash is a nifty wristband you can load with money and swipe to buy refreshments. On summer Saturdays there are movies at night.
IF YOU GO: Open from 10am, closing times vary. Entrance A$49 adults and A$32 for children, or buy a multi-park pass. Right next door to Movie World. Go to www.wetnwild.com.au
SEA WORLD
Animal parks these days are scrutinised closely, and Sea World is anxious to promote its educational and conservation roles. However, people who think polar bears and hot weather don't go together should probably skip this park. That said, younger children love the place with its underwater windows to the polar bears, sharks and a dugong, the tropical fish and pelicans, and of course the dolphins and their interactive show. There is also a roller coaster, ferris wheel, pirate ship and other rides - including a deliberately corny 60s-themed waterskiing show heavy on gold lamé and big wigs.
IF YOU GO: The park is just 3km north of Surfers Paradise and accessible by bus. Park entry costs A$69 adults and A$45 children, with multi-park pass options. See www.seaworld.com.au
DREAMWORLD
The sight of the Giant Drop's 39-storey tower left the kids speechless before we'd even left the motorway. The tallest freefall in the world, this is serious fun and, in a very noisy park, curiously quiet: "Because you haven't got any lungs" when dropping at 135km/h, the teenager wisely observed. There was no such problem with the Tower of Terror, its jet-engine roar drowned by its shrieking passengers as it whipped past at 160km/h, the auto photo afterwards proving that even the cool guys in front wore masks of sheer terror.
Although this feels like a more grown-up park and is full of teens, there is plenty for younger children (and less adventurous adults) to enjoy. The youngest are well catered for at Wiggles World and Nickelodeon Central, where there is shade as well as entertainment. There are Bengal tigers, Australian native animals and farm animals, as well as caged creatures of a different sort. TV's infamous Big Brother house is here, where the just-canned Australian TV show is filmed.
IF YOU GO: The park is 30 minutes from Surfers Paradise by car or bus. Entrance is A$66 adults, A$43 children, with group discounts and passes for both parks available. www.dreamworld.com.au
WHITEWATER WORLD
Opened in December 2007, this A$60 million park has some of the latest technology in extreme water rides, plus heated water and conveyor belts up to the top of the slides. The Hydrocoaster is one of only two water roller coasters in the world: up, down and around, open and enclosed, in a three-seater raft. There's also an eight-lane racer where riders on mats can reach 50km/h on the 120m slides; a funnel replicating the deepest point of a surfing wave; a whirlpool plus waterfall plunge; and three twisting slides in a ride called the Temple of Huey. For the small fry there is Wiggle Bay, with shade and extra lifeguards and a choice of 14 water play activities. Bigger children should enjoy the 100-plus Nickelodeon-themed activities and the 1000 litre tip bucket.
IF YOU GO: Adjoining Dreamworld, it can be visited separately for A$43/A$29 or with a combined park pass of various types. Go to www.whitewaterworld.com.au
AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK SPECTACULAR
Even teenagers can overdose on adrenalin, and this show provides a welcome break from the screaming - although not the shouting.
Part of the Warner Bros operation and located between the Movie World and Wet'n'Wild parks, it is an evening show in a large auditorium. The theme here is proudly cowboy: jackaroos and jillaroos serve a tasty three-course dinner with admirable efficiency during the show and circulate at regular intervals with wine while down in the arena cattle and sheep are herded by whip-cracking ringers who look to have been born in the saddle. There are rodeo displays, camels, dogs and chickens, singing and dancing, and competitions between the two stations that the audience has been assigned to, leading to much shouting and waving of the hats given out at the entrance. There is even poetry, a helicopter and an Outback storm with thunder and rain.
It's a lot of fun and thoroughly entertaining.
IF YOU GO: Get there by car or hotel shuttle. Open Tuesday to Sunday excluding Christmas Day, doors open at 6.15pm. Tickets cost A$96 adults and A$65 children (4-13 years) - bookings are essential. Go to www.australianoutbackspectacular.com
- Detours, HoS
